Living situations of older people in Germany

Abstract

1. Life expectancy continues to rise. Women and men are living to an increasingly old age. 2. The proportion of older people in the population continues to grow. 3. Most older people live in a private household and mostly together with a partner. But the number of people living alone or in residential or long-term care homes is also increasing with age. 4. Only a small minority of older people are in need of long-term care. But the num-ber of those requiring care will continue to rise. 5. The participation rate for older employees has risen markedly in the last 15 years. 6. The average retirement age concerning old-age pensions is 64 years. 7. Among one-fifth of older women are affected by poverty in old age. 8. Older people have the same level of life satisfaction as those who are younger. 9. Volunteering is also widespread among older people. They are more often active in the social area than younger people.